Friday, May 27, 2016

Two tickets to the Goat show



5/26/16
Goat show!, ¼ horse show, Galloway 150, Springer Spaniel dog show; this week end.  Read the sign on the parking lot to the RV park/fairgrounds as I pulled in.  The traffic had been thick, and aggressive on my drive up.  I stopped in the lot, and looked for any signs to direct me to the County RV Park.  There were not any.  I went in to the Snohomish County Farm museum on the front side of the fairgrounds lot.

I walked in to the antique farm museum, after driving circles around the grounds looking for the RV Park.  I made my reservations two days ago, and had presumed that the park would be easy to find.  As I walked in to the museum I looked for someone to ask directions from.  There was no one.  Ancient farm machinery occupied the floor, and hand tools of all types hung from the ceiling. The smell of antique wood, grease, and linseed oil filled the air of the building. 

“Hello?” I asked, listening to my voice as it echoed through the huge red wood framed barn. “Hey, I’m back here.” Answered someone.  The curator sat amongst a cotton jin and several belt driven threshers.  An man who appeared to be in his fifties sat behind a desk with a spiral bound notebook and glasses sat smoking a cigarette as it ashed in to a clear tray.  “Do you know where the R.V. Park is?” I asked.  “I don’t have any idea.” He shot back.  “Ok, well thanks for your time.” I replied as I turned to leave.  I noticed a can of water sitting on the table.  It proudly proclaimed Made in America.  “Canned water?” I said, as I looked curiously as the very over built cans.  “You gotta read the paragraph on the back to understand it.” He told me.  I read the paragraph: This can contains water pumped from our own well and immediately processed under scientific methods, resulting in highly potable-pure drinking water.  Under ordinary storage this water will keep for years. Impervious to nuclear fallout.  Recommended for convenience and Emergency uses- Its cheap insurance to have a supply on hand.  The seams of the can were welded shut.  The metal was thick.  “Are these for sale? I’ll take one.”  I haggled the price, and he finally opened up. “The RV Park is behind the fair grounds.” “thanks.” I said, as I turned to walk out the door.  

“Yawl need to park in 13?” came a southern drawl as I pulled up next to my camp site.  It was full of two golf carts, a pickup, and race car parts.  I looked at him, and parked in space 14.  “No worries man. Ill park here for now and move over when I can. Are you guys racing tomorrow?” “Yeah, well be racen’ if’n it isn’t rainin.  We got two cars, otherwise were gonna be sittin here drinkin’ beer.” He said.  His wife smiled, and his big golden lab barked as he and I talked.  “Have you been racing long?” I asked.  “Does a bear shit in the woods?” he asked me in his slow southern drawl.  His red nose and cheeks betraying the fact that he had already been drinking plenty of beer. 

5/27/16
The cars ran laps around the track and the release of energy shook my chest from far away.  They warmed up, swerving around the track, as they prepared to unleash their full energy and put the pedal to the floor.  The flag waved, and the roar exploded, shaking the stadium like thunder.  The cars began chasing each other around the track.  Not long after the first several laps, the sky opened up.  Rain began to pour from the sky.  Flags waved, the cars pulled to pit, and the race was over.  The rain came in sheets, then constantly.  

On my way back to my RV I met a woman in an RV trying to find a place to park. She was in her late forties with a weathered appearance, and shoulder length straight blonde hair.  I helped her find her site. “What are you here for?”  I asked.  “I’m here for the Springer Spaniel show on Monday. This place is going to be packed.  Came all the way from Ohio.  What kind of dog is that?” she asked, smiling and motioning to James.  “He’s a bitsa.” I said.  She thought for a minute, “is that a specialty breed?” she asked.  “Nope, he’s bits of everything.” I said with a broad grin.  “That’s clever” She said, smiling back at me.  “Thanks for helping me.” “No problem.” I replied as James and I went back to move our bus in the appropriate space.

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